Pneumatic control system for a fuel burning apparatus or the like



Filed May 28, 1968 Aug. 4, 1970 K. P. MUELLER ETAL 34,522,662

PNEUMATIC CONTROL SYSTEM FOR A FUEL BURNING APPARATUS OR THE LIKE 2 Sheets-Sfheet l 99 8 HO IOSU I02 FIGJ TNT/ENTORS KLAUS P. MUELLER DOUGLAS R. SCOTT KENNETH G. KREUTER QQAFQMM THEIR ATTORNEYS Aug. 4, 1970 K. P. MUELLER ETAL 3,522,662

PNEUMATIC CONTROL SYSTEM FOR A FUEL BURNING APPARATUS OR THE LIKE Filed May 28, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS KLAUS F. MUELLER DOUGLAS R.SCOTT KENNETH G.KREUTER THEIR ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,522,662 PNEUMATIC CONTROL SYSTEM FOR A FUEL BURNING APPARATUS OR THE LIKE Klaus P. Mueller, Goshen, Douglas R. Scott, Elkhart, and Kenneth G. Kreuter, Goshen, Ind., assignors to Robertshaw Controls Company, Richmond, Va., a corporation of Delaware Filed May 28, 1968, Ser. No. 732,784 Int. Cl. F26b 21/06 US. Cl. 3446 22 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This disclosure relates to a pneumatic control system for a clothes dryer wherein the flow of fuel to the main burner means is pneumatically controlled in such a man ner that the ignition means for the main burner means must be first pneumatically actuated before the pneumatic control system will pneumatically open the fuel supply means to the main burner means, the control system including a pneumatically operated logic memory unit to assure that the ignition means is always pneumatically operated before the main burner means can be pneumatically operated to its on condition by a pneumatically operated nand unit each time there is a requirement to turn on the main burner means.

This invention is related to the pneumatic control sys tem and method set forth in the copending patent application, Ser. No. 717,586, filed Apr. 1, 1968, which is assigned to the same assignee to whom this application is assigned.

In particular, this invention relates to a pneumatic control system for a fuel burning apparatus that has fewer control parts than the control system of the aforementioned patent application as well as an improved arrangement that is substantially fail-safe in the logic units thereof so that the source of fuel will automatically be disconnected or not be interconnected to the main burner means upon any one or combination of a number of possible component failures.

It is well known that a fuel burning apparatus, such as a clothes dryer or the like, has been provided wherein the flow of fuel to the main burner means thereof is controlled by an electric thermostat means that will not permit the flow of fuel to the main burner means until after an electrical ignition means has been electrically actuated so as to assure that the flow of fuel to the main burner means will be properly ignited.

The aforementioned patent application discloses and claims a pneumatic control system for controlling the flow of fuel to a main burner means of an apparatus or the like in such a manner that the ignition means for the main burner means must first be pneumatically actuated each time before the control system will permit a flow of fuel to the main burner means.

Accordingly, one of the features of this invention is to provide such a pneumatic control system which will perform the same function as the control system of the aforementioned patent application while being more economical and substantially fail-safe.

In particular, the embodiment of this invention provides a pneumatically operated logic memory unit which is utilized in combination with a pneumatically operated logic nand unit so that the same must each receive particular pneumatic signals from the control system before the nand unit will pneumatically turn on the main burner means, the pneumatically operated logic nand unit only causing the fuel source to be interconnected to the burner means if the pneumatically operated ignition means of the 3,522,662 Patented Aug. 4, 1970 control system has been first pneumatically actuated to ignition condition as will be apparent hereinafter.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved pneumatic control system for a fuel burning apparatus or the like, the system of this invention having one or more of the novel features set forth above or hereinafter shown or described.

Other objects, uses and advantages of this invention are apparent from a reading of this description which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating the improved control system of this invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary view of the pneumatically operated logic units of the control system of FIG. 1 with the logic units being illustrated in cross section.

While the various features of this invention are hereinafter described and illustrated as being particularly adapted to pneumatically control the operation of a domestic clothes dryer or the like, :it is to be understood that the various features of this invention can be utilized singly or in any combination thereof to provide control means for other types of apparatus as desired.

Therefore, this invention is not to be limited to only the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, because the drawings are merely utilized to illustrate one of the wide variety of uses of this invention.

Referring now to FIG. 1, the improved control system of this invention is generally indicated by the reference numeral 10 and is utilized for controlling the operation of a clothes dryer, generally indicated by the reference numeral 11, having a main burner means 12 adapted to be interconnected to a fuel source manifold 13 by a pair of pneumatically operated valve means 14 and 14 in a manner hereinafter described.

The apparatus 11 includes an electric motor 15 which rotates the clothes-receiving drum (not shown) of the apparatus 11 during the entire cycle of operation of the apparatus 11 in a conventional manner, the electric motor 15 being adapted to be interconnected across two power source leads L and L in a manner hereinafter described.

The electric motor 15 is adapted to drive an eccentric cam 16 that is interconnected to its output shaft 17 as long as the electric motor 15 is energized whereby the eccentric cam 16 will continuously move a piston rod arrangement 18 to operate a vacuum pump means 19 so as to provide a continuous vacuum source for the system 10 of this invention as long as the electric motor 15 is energized, the vacuum pump means 19 having its inlet 20 interconnected to a conduit means 21.

The power source lead L is interconnected to one side 22 of the electric motor 15 by a lead 23. The other power source lead L is interconnected by a lead 24 to a conventional timer operated switch blade 25 that has its contact 26 cooperable with a fixed contact 27 that is interconnected by a lead 28 to a dryer door operated switch blade 29. The dryer door operated switch blade 29 has a contact 30 cooperable with a contact 31 that is interconnected by a lead 32 to the other side 33 of the electric motor 15.

Therefore, it can be seen that in order for the electric motor 15 to be placed across the power source leads L and L for the electric motor 15 to be energized, not only must the dryer door be disposed in its closed position to close and hold the switch blade 29 against the contact 31, but also the housewife or the like must manually set the cycle timer means (not shown) of the control system 10 so that the same is in an on condition to hold the switch blade 25 against the contact 27 for a preset time period after the lapse of which the timer cycle means will automatically open the switch blade away from the contact 27 to terminate the operation of the control system 10 in a conventional manner.

The pneumatically operated valve means 14 and 14' for interconnecting the fuel source conduit 13 to the main burner means 12 of the apparatus 11 are identical in construction and operation and while one such valve means could properly control the on-off condition of the main burner means 12, the use of two such valve means merely provides a safety factor so that if one of the valve means fails, the other valve means will still perform its function. Thus, only the pneumatically operated valve means 14 will be described and like parts of the valve means 14 will be indicated by like reference numerals followed by a prime mark.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the pneumatically operated valve means 14 comprises a housing means having a valve seat 36 that interconnects its fuel source inlet 37 to its fuel source outlet 38, the valve seat 36 being opened and closed by a valve member 39 that is moved between its opened and closed positions by a vacuum operated actuator that is generally indicated by the reference numeral 40. The vacuum operated actuator 40 comprises a cup-shaped housing member 41 having its open end 42 closed by a flexible diaphragm 43 that is interconnected to the valve member 39 by a tying means 44 in a conventional manner whereby the flexible diaphragm 43 cooperates with the housing 41 to define a chamber 45 therebetween. A compression spring 46 is disposed in the chamber 45 to tend to normally move the flexible diaphragm 43 upwardly as illustrated in FIG. 1 to maintain the valve member 39 in its closed position against the valve seat 36 to prevent any flow of fuel to the main burner means 12. However, when the vacuum source 19 is interconnected to the chamber 45 in a manner hereinafter described to evacuate the chamber 45, the pressure differential acting across the diaphragm 43 moves the diaphragm 43 downwardly in opposition to the force of the compression spring 46 to move the valve 'member 39 to its open position so that the fuel source 13 will be interconnected to the main burner means 12 as long as the pneumatically operated actuators 40 and 40 are in their actuated condition.

The ignition means for the main burner means 12 comprises an ignition coil 47 having one side 48 thereof interconnected by a lead 49 to the lead 24 so that the side 48 of the ignition coil 47 is always interconnected to the power source lead L The other side 50 of the ignition coil 47 is interconnected by a lead 51 to a switch blade 52 that has a contact 53 cooperable with a contact 54 that is interconnected to the power source lead L by a lead 55.

A vacuum operated actuator 56 controls the switch blade 52 and comprises a cup-shaped housing 57 having its open end 58 closed by a flexible diaphragm 59 that is interconnected to the switch blade 52 by a suitable tying means 60, the flexible diaphragm 59 cooperating with the housing 57 to define a chamber 61 therebetween that receives a compression spring 62 that normally tends to urge the flexible diaphragm 59 upwardly to hold the switch blade 52 out of contact with the contact 54 and thereby maintain the ignition coil 47 in its de-energized condition. However, when the chamber 61 of the actuator 56 is interconnected to the vacuum source 19 in a manner hereinafter described, the resulting pressure differential acting across the diaphragm 59 moves the diaphragm 59 downwardly in opposition to the force of the compression spring 62 to place the switch blade 52 into contact with the contact 54 so as to place the ignition coil 47 across the power source leads L and L When the ignition coil 47 is placed across the power source leads L and L by the vacuum operated actuator 56 in a manner hereinafter described, the ignition coil 47 subsequently heat up to a temperature that will be sufficient for igniting fuel issuing from the main burner means 12 in a conventional igniting manner.

An ignition coil temperature sensing means 63 is pro vided for the system 10 and comprises a bimetal member 64 that is interconnected to a valve member 65 by a tying means 66, the valve member 65 being disposed in a housing means 67 having a valve seat 68 fluidly interconnecting a conduit 69 to a conduit 70. When the bimetal member 64 senses a temperature of the ignition coil 47 below a temperature suflicient for igniting fuel issuing from the main burner means 12, the bimetal member 64 is in such a condition that the same maintains the valve member 65 away from the valve seat 68 so as to fluidly interconnect the conduits 69 and 70 together. However, when the ignition coil 47 reaches an ignition temperature, the bimetal member 64 warps in such a manner that the same moves the valve member 65 against the valve seat 68 to terminate the fluid connection between the conduits 69 and 70. In addition, when the main burner means 12 is operating, the bimetal member 64 also senses the flames at the main burner means 12 so that the bimetal member 64 will maintain the valve member 65 in its closed position against the valve seat 68 as long as fuel is burning at the main burner means 12.

Another temperature sensing device 71 is provided for the control system 10 and is adapted to sense the temperature effect of the main burner means 12. The temperature sensing means 71 comprises a bimetal member 72 that is interconnected to a valve member 73 by a tying means 74, the valve member 73 being disposed in a housing means 75 to open and close a valve seat 76 thereof that fluidly interconnects the conduit 21 to the conduit 69 of the ignition temperature sensing means 63.

As long as the temperature effect of the burner means 12 of the apparatus 11 is below a predetermined temperature eflect setting of the sensing means 71, the bimetal member 72 maintains the valve member 73 away from the valve seat 76 to fluidly interconnect the conduits 21 and 69 together whereby it the electric motor 15 is energized, the vacuum source 19 will be interconnected to the conduit 69. However, when the temperature sensing means 71 senses a temperature effect of the burner means 12 above the set temperature effect setting of the thermostatic means 71, the bimetal member 72 warps in a manner to move the valve member 73 against the valve seat 76 and, thus, disconnects the vacuum source 19 from the conduit 69 for a purpose hereinafter described. Of course, it is to be understood that the sensing device 71 could be manually adjustable for temperature selection purposes by the housewife or the like or could be factory set for an optimum drying temperature for the apparatus 11.

The conduit 69 is interconnected by a conduit 77 to a port means 78 of a pneumatically operated logic memory unit 79 later to be described, the conduit 77 also being fluidly interconnected to a conduit 80 that leads to a port means 81 of a pneumatically operated logic nand unit 82 of this invention. The conduit 77 has a restriction 83 therein intermediate the port means 78 of the logic memory unit 79 and the conduit 80, and the conduit 80 has a restriction means 84 therein in advance of the port means 81 of the logic nand unit 82, the purpose of the restriction means '83 and 84 later to be described.

The conduit 70 leading from the ignition temperature sensing means 63 is interconnected to another port means 85 of the logic nand unit 82 as well as to a conduit 86 that is interconnected to one side 87 of a check valve 88, the conduit 70 having a restriction means 89 therein in advance of the conduit 86 for a purpose later to be described.

The check valve 88 comprises a housing means 90 having a valve seat 91 adapted to be opened and closed by a valve member 92, the valve seat 91 being adapted to interconnect the conduit 86 at the side 87 thereof to the other side 93 of the check valve 88 that leads to a conduit 94. The valve member 92 normally seats against the valve seat 91 to prevent fluid communication between the conduits 86 and 94 so that when the conduit 70 is interconnected to the vacuum source 19 by the valve means 63 and 71 being disposed in their open positions, the vacuum source 19 opens the valve member 92 away from the valve seat '91 so as to be interconnected to the conduit 94.

The conduit 94 is fluidly interconnected to a conduit 95 that has one end 96 thereof interconnected to a port means 97 of the logic memory unit 79 while the other end 98 of the conduit 95 is interconnected to another port means 99 of the logic memory unit 79, the conduit 95 being interconnected to the atmosphere by a controlled bleed means 100 for a purpose hereinafter described. However, the controlled bleed means 100 interconnects the conduit 95 to the atmosphere at a controlled rate that is less than the effective rate of fluid interconnection provided by the restriction means 83 in the conduit 77 as will be apparent hereinafter.

The conduit 95 is fluidly interconnected to a conduit 101 that leads to a port means 102 of the logic nand unit 82, the logic nand unit having another port means 103 thereof fluidly interconnected to a conduit means 104 that is fluidly interconnected to branch conduit means 105 and 105 that are respectively fluidly interconnected to the chambers 45 and 45 of the vacuum actuators 40 and 40.

The conduit 70 leading from the ignition temperature sensing means 63 is fluidly interconnected to a conduit 106 that is fluidly interconnected to the chamber 61 of the actuator 56, the conduit 106 being interconnected to the atmosphere by a controlled bleed means 107 that interconnects the conduit 106 to the atmosphere at a controlled rate that is less than the effective rate of fluid interconnection provided by the restriction means 89 in the conduit means 70 as will be apparent hereinafter.

A remaining port means 108 of the logic nand unit 82 is interconnected to the atmosphere and two remaining port means 109 and 110 of the logic memory unit 79 are respectively interconnected to the atmosphere.

As previously stated, the control system is so constructed and arranged that the ignition coil 47 for the burner means 12 must be first energized to a temperature thereof that -will be suflicient for igniting fuel issuing from the burner means 12 each time before the actuators 40 and 40' will be actuated to simultaneously move the valve members 39 and 39 from their closed positions to their open positions to cause fuel to issue from the main burner means 12.

Thus, since both temperature sensing devices 63 and 71 are normally disposed in their open positions when the control system 10' is initially turned on by the housewife or the like setting the timer cycle means in its on position to close the switch blade 25 against the contact 27, the thus energized electric motor will operate the vacuum pump 19 and since the temperature effect of the apparatus 11 is below the temperature effect setting of the thermostatic device 71, the vacuum pump 19 is adapted to evacate the conduit 69 through the opened valve seat 76 as well as to evacuate the conduit means 70 and 77 leading respectively to the logic memory unit '79 and logic nand unit 82.

The logic nand unit 82 will now receive a pneumatic signal at the port means 102 thereof from the memory unit 79 as well as a pneumatic signal at the port means 85 thereof as long as the valve member 65 of the ignition temperature sensing means 63 is in its open position whereby the nand unit will be in a de-activated condition to prevent the vacuum source 19 from #being inter connected to the conduit 104 so that the valve means 14 and 14 remain in their closed positions to prevent fuel from reaching the main burner means 12. However, after the ignition coil 47 reaches its ignition condition,

the valve means 65 closes so as to terminate the pneumatic signal to the port means of the nand unit 82 whereby the nand unit 82 will now be activated to a condition thereof to interconnect the vacuum source 19 to the conduit 104 so that the actuators 40 and 40 will be evacuated to open the valve members 39 and 39' so that fuel can issue from the burner means 12 and be ignited by the ignition means 47.

Accordingly, the logic units 79 and 82 always require that the valve member 65 must first be in its open position and then be moved to a closed position after each closing of the main valve means 14 and 14 before the main valve means 14 and 14' can be again opened, the valve member 65 only closing after an open condition thereof by the ignition coil 47 being energized to a temperature suitable for igniting fuel that is to subsequently issue from, the main burner means 12.

The details of the logic units 79 and 82 for accomplishing the above function will now be described in detail where-by reference is now made to FIG. 2.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the logic units 79 and 82 are substantially identical in construction whereby only the particular details of the logic memory unit 79 will now be described and like parts of the logic nand unit 82 will be indicated by the same reference numerals followed by the reference letter A. In this manner, it will be appreciated that the logic units of this invention can be made from the same parts in a simple and effective manner 'while producing different logic functions as will be apparent hereinafter so that the cost of the control system 10 of this invention is relatively small when considering the costs of prior known electrical and pneumatic control systems.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the logic memory unit 79 comprises two housing parts 111 and 112 suitably secured together to hold two annular members 113 and 114 between the opposed and respective inner end wall means 115 and 116 thereof. A flexible, one-piece diaphragm member 117 is disposed in the housing means 111 and 112 and has an intermediate or large central outwardly directed diaphragm portion .118 provided with an outer peripheral portion 119 that is secured and sealed between the annular members 113 and 114. An outboard smaller spaced diaphragm portion 120 of the diaphragm member 117 has its outer periphery 121 secured and sealed between the housing member 111 and the annular member 113 to define a chamber 122 between the diaphragm portion 120 and the end wall means 115 of the housing member 111 while cooperating with the larger central diaphragm portion 118 to define a chamber 123 between the diaphragm portions 118 and 120. An opposed smaller outboard spaced diaphragm portion 124 of the diaphragm member 117 has its outer periphery 125 secured and sealed between the annular member 114 and the housing member 112 to define a chamber 126 between the diaphragm portion 124 and the end wall means 116 of the housing member 112 while cooperating with the central diaphragm portion 118 to define a chamber 127 between the diaphragm portions 118 and 124.

The diaphragm member 117 has a bore 128 interrupting the end 129 thereof so as to receive a compression spring 130 that has one end bearing against the end Wall means 116 of the housing member 112 and the other end thereof bearing against the diaphragm member 117 to normally urge the diaphragm portion 120 against a frustoconical valve seat 131 that projects inwardly from the end wall means 115 of the housing member 111 into the chamber 122. The valve seat means 131 of the logic memory unit 79 is interconnected to the port means 78 thereof that leads to the conduit 77 whereas the valve seat means 131A of the nand unit '82 is interconnected to the port means 81 that leads to the conduit 80.

The diaphragm member 117 has a passage means 132 passing through the diaphragm portion 120 in offset relation to the valve seat 131 so as to always fluidly interconnect the chambers 122 and 126 together, the passage 132 also being in offset relation to a frustoconical valve seat 133 that projects inwardly from the end wall means 116 of the housing member 112 and is received in the bore 128 of the diaphragm member 117 to be opened and closed by the end wall 134 of the diaphragm member 117 that defines the closed end of the bore 128 and forms part of the effective surface of the diaphragm portion 124 that defines the chamber 126. The valve seat 133 of the logic memory unit 79 is interconnected to the port 109 which leads to the atmosphere and the valve seat 133A of the logic nand unit 82 is interconnected to the port means 108 that leads to the atmosphere.

The port means 78 and 99 of the housing member 111 and the port means 109 of the housing member 112 can comprise outwardly extending tubular nipples that can be effectively telescoped into flexible conduit means to fluidly interconnect the same to such conduit means, such nipple extensions containing suitable air filtering means 134. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the nipple port means 99 and 78 of the logic memory unit 79 are fluidly interconnected respectively to the conduits 98 and 70 whereas the nipple port means 81 and 103 of the logic nand unit 82 are respectively interconnected to the conduits 80 and 104.

The annular member 114 carries the port means 97 in the form of a nipple extension projecting out of an opening means 135 in the housing member 112 and the port means 110 comprises a nipple extension of the annular member 113 projecting out of an opening means 136 of the housing member 111. The nipple port means 97 of the logic memory unit 79 is interconnected to the end '96 f the conduit member 95 and the nipple port means 110 is interconnected to the atmosphere whereas the corresponding nipple port means 102 and 85 of the logic nand unit 82 are respectively interconnected to the conduits 101 and 70.

Accordingly, it can be seen that the chamber 122 of the logic memory unit 79 is always interconnected to the port means 99 and, thus, to the end 98- of the conduit 95 whereas the port means 78 and, thus, the conduit 77 is adapted to be interconnected to the chamber 122 when the diaphragm member 117 opens the valve seat 131. The atmosphere port means 110 is always interconnected to the chamber 123. The chamber 127 is always interconnected by the port means 97 to the end 96 of the conduit means 95. As previously stated, the chamber 126 is always interconnected to the chamber 122 by the passage means 132 and is adapted to be interconnected to the atmosphere at the port means 109 when the diaphragm member 117 opens the valve seat 133.

In regard to the logic nand unit 82, the chamber 122A thereof is always interconnected by the port means 103 to the conduit 104 and is adapted to be interconnected to the port means 81 and, thus, to the conduit 80 when the diaphragm member 117A opens the valve seat 131A, the chamber 122A always being interconnected to the chamber 126A by the passage means 132A in the diaphragm member 117A. The chamber 123A is always interconnected by the port means 85 to the conduit 70. The chamber 127A is always interconnected by the port means 102 to the conduit 101. The chamber 126A, while always being interconnected to the chamber 122A by the passage means 132A in the diaphragm member 117A, is adapted to be interconnected to the atmosphere at the port 108 when the diaphragm member 117A opens the valve seat 133A.

The operation of the control system of this invention will now be described.

Assuming that the dryer door is in its closed position to hold the switch blade 29 against the contact 31, the housewife or the like sets the timer selector means for operating the dryer 11 for a predetermined length of time whereby the timer mechanism closes and holds the switch blade 25 against the contact 27 and will maintain the 8 switch blade 25 against the contact 27 during the entire cycle of operation of the dryer 11 so that at the conclusion of such time period, the timer means will automat ically open the blade 25 away from the contact 27 to terminate the operation of the apparatus 11.

With the switch blade 25 now moved to its closed position against the contact 27, it can be seen that the electric motor 15 is placed across the power source leads L and L so that the electric motor 15 will continuously rotate the laundry receiving drum to tumble the clothes in an atmosphere to be heated by the burner means 12 for drying of the laundry or the like. As the output shaft 17 of the motor 15 is continuously rotating, the same through the eccentric cam 16 reciprocates suitable pumping mechanism of the vacuum pump 19 to continuously provide a vacuum source for the control system 10.

At the initial operation of the control system 10, not only is the ignition coil 47 not at an ignition temperature, but also the temperature eifect of the apparatus 11 is below the temperature effect setting of the thermostatic means 71 whereby both valve members 65 and 73 are in their open position as illustrated in FIG. 1 so that the vacuum source 19 is not only interconnected to the vacuum operated actuator 56 to evacuate the chamber 61 thereof and close the switch blade 52 against the contact 54 to place the ignition coil 47 across the power source leads L and L but also the vacuum source 19 is interconnected by the conduits 77 and 80 to the valve seats 131 and 131A of the memory unit 79 and nand unit 82, which valve seats 131 and 131A are normally closed by the diaphragm members 117 and 117A due to the force of the respective compression springs 130 and 130A, and by the conduit means 70 to the chambers and 122 of the memory unit 79 and the chamber 123A of the nand unit 82.

In particular, since the conduit 70 is interconnected to the inlet 20 of the vacuum pump 19 by the open valve members 65 and 73, the controlled bleed means 107 in the conduit 106 has no eifect on the evacuation of the conduit 70 as the restriction means 89 in the conduit 70 is larger than the controlled bleed means 107 and therefore the vacuum pump 19 can evacuate the chamber 123A of the nand unit 82 to maintain the diaphragm member 117A thereof in its de-activated and seating position against the valve seat 131A so that the vacuum source in the conduit 80 leading to the valve seat 131A cannot reach the actuators 40 and 40' to open the valve means 14 and 14'.

Also, since the conduit 86 is now being evacuated, the clerk valve 88 opens so that the conduit 95 can be evacuated whereby the end 96 thereof evacuates the chamber 127 of the memory unit 79 so that the resulting pressure differential acting across the large central diaphragm portion 118 causes the diaphragm member 117 to move upwardly in FIG. 2 in opposition to the force of the compression spring 130 to its activated position to not only open the valve seat 131 but also to close the valve seat 133 so that the atmosphere is no longer interconnected to the chamber 126 and thus to the chamber 122 by the opening 132 in the diaphragm member 117.

With the valve seat 131 now being opened by the activated memory unit 79, the vacuum source 19 is interconnected by the conduit 77 through the restriction means 83 to the chamber 122 of the memory unit 79 so that the conduit 101 elfectively leading from the chamber 122 of the memory unit 79 is evacuated to evacuate the chamber 127A of the nand unit 82 because the chamber 122 of the memory unit 79 is no longer interconnected to the atmosphere through the passage means 132 of the diaphragm member 117 and the valve seat 133 as the valve seat 133 is closed by the activated memory unit 79.

With the chamber 127A of the nand unit 82 now being evacuated, it can be seen that as long as the valve member 65 of the ignition temperature sensing means 63 is in its open position, the opposing chamber 123A of the nand unit 82 is also evacuated so that an equal vacuum condition exists across the central diaphragm portion 118A of the diaphragm member 117A of the nand unit 82 so that the compression spring 130A maintains the diaphragm member 117A in its up or de-activated position in FIG. 2 to maintain the valve seat 131A thereof closed and the chamber 122A thereof that leads to the chambers 45 and 45 of the actuators 40 and 40 of the valve means 14 and 14' interconnected to the atmosphere through the passage means 132A of the diaphragm member 117A and the open valve seat 133A whereby the valve members 14 and 14 cannot be opened to interconnect the fuel source 13 to the main burner means 12 as long as a vacuum signal is directed to the chamber 123A by the ignition sensing means 63.

However, when the energized ignition coil 47 subsequently heats up to ignition condition, the sensing member 64 warps downwardly in FIG. 1 to close the valve member 65 against the valve seat 68 and thereby disconnect the vacuum source 19 from the conduit 70 which begins to return to atmospheric condition by the controlled bleed means 107 so that not only is the chamber '61 of the actuator 56 returned to atmospheric condition to open the switch blade 52 away from the contact 54 and de-energize the ignition coil 47, but also the chamber 123A of the nand unit 82 returns to atmospheric condition whereby the resulting pressure differential acting across the diaphragm portion 118A of the diaphragm member 117A of the nand unit 82 causes the diaphragm member 117A to move downwardly in FIG. 2 in opposition to the force of the compression spring 130A to its activated position to not only open the valve seat 131A to the chamber 122A, but also to close the valve seat 133A from the chamber 126A.

In this manner, since the valve member 73 of the temperature effect sensing means 71 is in its open condition, the vacuum source 19, in effect, is interconnected to the chambers 45 and 45 of the actuators 40 and 40 to move the valve members 39 and 39 to their open position so that the fuel source 13 is now interconnected to the main burner means 12 and is ignited by the ignition coil 47.

As previously stated, when the valve member 65 of the ignition temperature sensing means 63 is moved to its closed position to permit the controlled bleed 107 to return the conduit 70 to atmospheric condition to terminate the vacuum signal to the chamber 123A of the nand unit 82 so as to activate the same, the check valve 88 closes so that such bleed of air into the conduit 70 cannot reach the conduit 94 whereby the diaphragm member 117 of the memory unit 79 remains in its actuated condition wherein the valve seat 131 is in its open condition and the valve seat 133 is in its closed condition so that a continuous vacuum signal is directed from the chamber 122 to the chamber 127A of the nand unit to maintain the nand unit in its activated position for maintaining the valve means 14 and 14' in their open condition, the restriction 83 providing a greater flow than the controlled bleed means 100 in the conduit 95 so that a holding circuit is provided for the memory unit from the vacuum source 19 to the chamber 122 of the memory unit 79 and by means of the conduit 95 to the chamber 127 to maintain the diaphragm member 117 in its up or activated position.

Thus, since flames now exist at the main burner means 12, the temperature sensing means 63 will maintain the valve member 65 closed against the valve seat 68 so that the burner means 12 will continue to operate unless the temperature effect being produced by the burner means 12 exceeds the predetermined temperature effect setting of the thermostat means 71.

If the temperature effect of the burner means 12 exceeds the setting of the thermostat 71, the temperature sensing member 72 will move the valve member 73 against the valve seat 76 to disconnect the conduit 77 from the vacuum source 19 whereby the control bleed 10 means in the conduit 95 will permit air to return not only to the chamber 127 of the memory unit 79 to de-activate the same, but also permit air to return to the chamber 127A of the nand unit 82 whereby the compression spring A of the nand unit 82 will move the diaphragm member 117A upwardly to close the valve seat 131A and open the valve seat 133A so that the chambers 45 and 45' and the actuators 30 and 30 will be interconnected to the atmosphere by the passage means 132A in the diaphragm member 117A leading to the chamber 126A that is interconnected to the open valve seat 123A that leads to the atmosphere at the port 108. Similarly, the diaphragm member 117 of the memory unit 79 moves downwardly in FIG. 2 under the force of the compression spring 130 because the chamber 127A returns to atmospheric condition so that the valve seat 131 is now closed and the valve seat 133 is opened to return the chamber 122 to atmospheric condition as the passage means 132 leads to the chamber 126 which is now interconnected to the atmospheric port 109 by the opened valve seat 133.

Since flames do not now exist at the main burner means 12, the ignition temperature sensing means 63 now causes the valve member 65 to move to the open position so that when the valve member 73 of the thermostat 71 is again moved to its open condition by the temperature effect in the dryer 11 falling below the set temperature effect of the thermostat 71, the main burner means 12 will be operated in the manner previously described wherein the igniter means 47 will again be first energized to ignition condition before the valve members 14 and 14 can be opened.

However; if during the normal operation of the control system 10, wherein the main burner means 12 has been interconnected to the fuel source 13 in the manner previously described so as to be continuously burning, the housewife or the like should open the dryer door temporarily to cause the switch blade 29 to move away from the contact 31 so as to disconnect the electric motor 15 from the power source leads L and L whereby the vacuum source 19 ceases to function so that the control system bleeds to atmospheric condition by the controlled bleeds 107 and 100, and the housewife subsequently closes the dryer door to again activate the motor 15 be fore the ignition temperature sensing means 63 has opened the valve member 65, the nand unit 82 cannot cause reopening of the valve means 14 and 14 because the memory unit 79 has not been reset to its activated position so as to interconnect the conduit 77 to the chamber 122 thereof and, thus, to the chamber 127A of the nand unit 82 as it requires an opening of the valve member 65 of the ignition temperature sensing means 63 to activate the memory unit 79 and the nand unit 82 requires a subsequent closing of the valve member 65 against the valve seat 68 to terminate the vacuum signal to the chamber 123A thereof before the nand unit 82 can be activated to cause opening of the valve means 14 and 14.

Thus, it can be seen that the control system 10 of this invention utilizes only two logic units each formed of identical structure but performing clifierent logic functions in a manner to control the main burner means 12 so that the system requires that the ignition means 47 be always pneumatically operated to ignition condition before the main burner means 12 can be pneumatically operated to its on condition each time there is a requirement to turn on the main burner means.

Further, it can be seen that the logic units 79 and 82 of this invention are so constructed and arranged that any failures therein will provide a fail-safe system wherein the main burner 12 cannot be interconnected to the fuel source 13.

In particular, certain failures that can occur in the logic memory unit 79 are an accumulation of dirt in the chamber 122 which would prevent full sealing of the diaphragm member 117 against the valve seat 131, an

r 1 1 accumulation of dirt in the chamber 126 that would prevent full sealing of the diaphragm member 117 against the valve seat 133, a leak or rupture in the upper diaphragm portion 124, a leak or rupture in the central diaphragm portion 114, and a leak or rupture in the lower diaphragm portion 120.

If dirt should accumulate in the chamber 122 of the memory unit 79 so as to prevent full sealing of the diaphragm member 117 against the valve seat 131, initial start-up of the system will not permit opening of the valve members 14 and 14- if the valve member 65 is subsequently disposed in its closed position and the valve member 73 is in its open position as no vacuum signal will be directed to the chamber 127A of the nand unit so as to prevent the nand unit from being activated to open the valve means 14 and 14 because the restriction 83 in the conduit 77 restricts the amount of evacuation that can take place in the chamber 122 of the memory unit and since the passage 132 through the diaphragm member 117 fully leads to the open valve seat 133 connected to the atmosphere at port 109, no vacuum buildup can be created in the chamber 127A of the nand unit so as to cause opening of the valve means 14 and 14'.

Conversely, if sufficient dirt should exist in the chamber 126 so as to prevent complete actuation of the memory unit so that the diaphragm member 117 cannot be pulled up sufiiciently to seal closed the valve seat 133, a suflicient amount of vacuum cannot be created in chamber 127A of the nand unit to pull the diaphragm member 117A thereof downwardly when the vacuum signal to the chamber 123A ceases because of the closing of the valve member 65 against the valve seat 68 as the restriction means 83 in the conduit 77 cooperates with the large amount of leak through the opened valve seat 133 and large passage 132 in the diaphragm member 117 to prevent vacuum build-up in the chamber 122 and, thus, in the chamber 127A of the nand unit.

Leak or rupture in the upper diaphragm portion 125 of the memory unit will completely vent the chamber 127 to the chamber 126 and, thus, to the opened valve seat 133 so that when a vacuum signal is directed to the chamber 127 of the memory unit, the diaphragm member 117 cannot be pulled upwardly so as to direct a vacuum signal to the chamber 127A of the nand unit 82 that would cause actuation of the nand unit 82.

Rupture or leak in the central diaphragm portion 118 of the memory unit 79 also prevents the diaphragm member 117 of the memory unit from being pulled upwardly to direct a signal to the chamber 127A of the nand unit 82 as the leak between chambers 127 and 123 is connected to the atmosphere at the atmosphere port 110, the restriction means 83 in the conduit means 77 thus cooperating with the large leak path to the atmosphere at port 110 so as to prevent sufficient vacuum build-up in the chamber 122 for evacuation of chamber 127A of the nand unit.

Similarly, a leak or rupture in the lower diaphragm portion 120 will prevent the memory unit 79 from directing a vacuum signal to the chamber 127A of the nand unit because the leak from the chamber 122 to the chamber 123 is connected to the atmosphere at the atmosphere port 110, the restriction means 83 in the conduit means 77 thus cooperating with the large leak path to the atmosphere at port 110 so as to prevent sufficient vacuum build-up in the chamber 122 for evacuation of chamber 127A of the nand unit.

Similarly, the logic nand unit 82 prevents the valve members 14 and 14' from opening upon certain failures in the nand unit, such failures being an accumulation of dirt in the upper chamber 122A preventing full seating of the diaphragm member 117A against the valve seat 131A, an accumulation of dirt in the chamber 130A preventing full seating of the diaphragm member 117A against the valve seat 133A, rupture or leakage in the upper diaphragm portion 120A, rupture or leakage in the central diaphragm portion 118A and rupture or leakage in the lower diaphragm portion 124A.

For example, if sufiicicnt dirt should accumulate in chamber 122A of the nand unit 82 so as to prevent full seating of the diaphragm member 117A against the valve seat 131A so that the vacuum conduit would be interconnected to the conduit 104, it can be seen that the atmosphere at port 108 is fully interconnected to chamber 122A through the opened valve seat 133A and passage means 132A in the diaphragm member 117A, the restriction 84 in the conduit 80 cooperating with the large opening 132A through the diaphragm member 117A to prevent any build-up of vacuum in the chamber 122A which would cause evacuation of the actuators 40 and 40.

Conversely, if sulficient dirt should exist in the chamber 126A of the nand unit 82 to prevent full seating of the diaphragm member 117A against the valve seat 133A when the diaphragm member 117A is pulled downwardly by the vacuum signal in chamber 127A thereof, again sufficient vacuum cannot exist in chamber 122A to evacuate the actuators 40 and 40 because of the leak passage through the large openings 132A in the diaphragm member 117A to the atmosphere port 108 interconnected to the open valve seat 133A.

Rupture or leak in the upper diaphragm portion 120A of the nand unit 82 vents the chamber 123A to the chamber 122A and, thus, through the large passage 132A in the diaphragm member 117A and opened valve seat 133A to the atmosphere at port 108 in such a manner that the restriction 89 in the conduit 70 prevents sufficient vacuum build up in the conduit and, thus, in the chamber 127 of the memory unit 79 so that the diaphragm 117 thereof cannot be pulled upwardly whereby no vacuum signal can be directed to the chamber 127A of the nand unit from the memory unit to cause activation of the nand unit with the failure in the diaphragm portion A of the diaphragm member 117A.

If a rupture or leak occurs in the central diaphragm portion 118A of the nand unit 82, chambers 127A and 123A will be in full communication with each other so that at no time can there be a pressure differential acting across the diaphragm portion 118A that would cause the diaphragm member 117A to move downwardly as the compression spring 130A is always urging the diaphragm member 117A upwardly to close the valve seat 131A so that no vacuum can be imposed on the actuators 40 and 40.

Leak or rupture in the lower diaphragm portion 124A of the nand unit 82 interconnects the chamber 127A to the chamber 126A so that any vacuum signal directed by the memory unit 79 to chamber 127A of the nand unit 82 will be vented to the atmosphere through the opened valve seat 133A to the atmosphere port 108 so that the nand unit cannot be activated to move the dia phragm 117A thereof downwardly whereby the valve means 14 and 14 will remain closed.

Therefore, it can be seen that any failures in the logic unit 79 and/or logic unit 82 of this invention will prevent opening of the pneumatically operated valve means 14 and 14 so that the previously described sequence of operation of the logic units 79 and 82 must be performed before the main valve means 14 and 14' can be opened.

Thus, it can be seen that this invention provides an improved pneumatic control system for a fuel burning apparatus or the like.

What is claimed is:

1. A pneumatic control system for a fuel burning apparatus having burner means adapted to be interconnected to a source of fuel comprising a source of pneumatic fluid, pneumatically operated ignition means for said burner means, interconnecting means for interconnecting said fuel source to said burner means, pneumatically operated valve means for controlling the flow of fuel from said fuel source to said burner means through said interconnecting means, means for interconnecting said pneumatic source to said pneumatically operated ignition means to operate the same every time before said pneumatically operated valve means is opened, and means for interconnecting said pneumatic source to said pneumatically operated valve means to operate the same for interconnecting said fuel source to said burner means only after said ignition means has been pneumatically operated'for igniting said burner means, said means for interconnecting said pneumatic source to said pneumatically operated valve means comprising a pneumatically operated logic memory unit and a pneumatically operated logic nand unit.

2. A pneumatic control system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said pneumatic source is a vacuum source.

3. A pneumatic control system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said apparatus is a clothes'dryer having an electrical motor for driving a clothes receiving drum thereof, said pneumatic source comprising a vacuum pump interconnected to said motor to be driven thereby.

4. Avpneumatic control system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for interconnecting said pneumatic source to said pneumatically operated ignition means comprises a thermostatically operated valve means.

5. A pneumatic control system 'zas set forth in claim 4 wherein said thermostatically operated valve means closes to disconnect said source fromsaid pneumatically operated ignition means when said-ignition means is activated to a predetermined degree for subsequent ignition of fuel issuing from said burner means.

6. Apneumatic control system as set forth in claim 5 wherein said thermostatically operated valve means remains closed after ignition of said burner means as long as said thermostatically operated valve means senses flame means at said burner means.

7. A pneumatic control system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for interconnecting said pneumatic source to said pneumatically operated valve means comprises a thermostatically operated valve means.

8. A pneumatic control system as set forth in claim 7 wherein said means for interconnecting said pneumatic source; to said pneumatically operated ignition means comprises another thermostatically operated valve means.

9. A pneumatic control system as set forth in claim 8 wherein said other thermostatically operated valve means; can interconnect said pneumatic source to said pneumatically operated ignition means only when said first-named thermostatically operated means is in an open condition to be adapted to interconnect said pneumatic source to said pneumatically operated valve means.

10. A pneumatic control system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said pneumatically operated logic memory unit provides an output pneumatic signal from said pneumatic source only when said memory unit is activated by said means interconnecting saidpneumatic source to said pneumatically operated ignition means, said memory unit being deactivated each time said pneumatically operated valve means disconnects said fuel source from said burner means whereby said memory unit terminates its output pneumatic signal until reactivated by said means interconnecting said pneumatic source to said pneumatically operated ignition means, said output pneumatic signal being required before said means for interconnecting said pneumatic source to said pneumatically operated valve means can interconnect said pneumatic source to said pneumatically operated valve means.

11. A pneumatic control system as set forth in claim 10 wherein said pneumatically operated logic memory unit comprises a housing means carrying three spaced diaphragm means that move in unison relative to said housing means and cooperated therewith to define four chambers in stacked relation.

12. A pneumatic control system as set forth in claim 11 wherein said pneumatic source is adapted to be directed to one of said chambers to activate said memory unit when said pneumatic source is interconnected to said pneumatically operated ignition means whereby another chamber directs said output pneumatic signal from said pneumatic source, and means interconnecting said other chamber with said one chamber to provide a holding pneumatic; circuit means for said memory unit in its activated condition.

13. A pneumatic control system as set forth in claim 12 wherein a controlled bleed means interconnects said pneumaticgholding circuit means to the atmosphere at a controlled rate.

14. A pneumatic control system as set forth in claim 13 wherein a restriction means interconnects said pneumatic source to said other chamber, said restriction means being larger than said controlled bleed means.

15. A pneumatic control system as set forth in claim 11 wherein the two outboard chambers of said memory unit have, valve seats leading thereto to be alternately opened and closed by said diaphragm means.

16. A pneumatic control system as set forth in claim 15 wherein one of said valve seats is adapted to interconnect the atmosphere to its respective chamber when said diaphragm means opens said one valve seat.

17. A pneumatic control system as set forth in claim 16 wherein the other of said valve seats is adapted to interconnect said pneumatic source to its respective chamber when said diaphragm means opens said other valve seats.

18. A pneumatic control system as set forth in claim 17 wherein said diaphragm means has passage means therein interconnecting said two outboard chambers together. J.

19. A pneumatic control system as set forth in claim 11 wherein said pneumatically operated logic nand unit provides an output signal from said pneumatic source to said pneumatically operated valve means to operate the same for interconnecting said fuel source to said burner means when said nand unit is activated by receiving said output signal from said memory unit and said pneumatic source is not being interconnected to said pneumatically operated ignition means.

20. Ajpneumatic control system as set forth in claim 19 wherein means are adapted to interconnect said pneumatic source to said nand unit to deactivate the same when said pneumatic source is interconnected to said pneumatically operated ignition means regardless of whetheror not said nand unit is receiving said output signal from said memory" unit.

21. A pneumatic control system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said pneumatically operated logic nand unit provides an output signal from said pneumatic source to said pneumatically operated valve means to operate the same for interconnecting said] fuel source to said .burner means when said nand unit is activated by receiving an output signal from said memory unit and said pneumatic source is not being interconnected to said pneumatically operated ignition means.

22. A pneumatic control system as set forth in claim 21 wherein a restriction means is adapted to interconnect said pneumatic source to said nand unit to provide said output signal thereof.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,382,216 8/1945 Eskin et al. 43167 3,384,071 5/1968 Body et al. 126-273 X EDWARD G. FAVORS, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R.. 

